Straight Talk from 9 Figure Media’s Playbook
Most startups dream of getting big press mentions, like landing on the New York Times or being featured in Forbes, but 80% miss the mark. It’s not luck; it’s strategy.
Bad PR collapses even the best ideas. Here are four traps startups fall into, plus simple fixes to get noticed and win coverage.
Trap #1: Telling your story instead of solving a problem
This is the biggest mistake in PR for startups. Talking only about themselves, new products, and excellent founders while ignoring what readers want. A flashy app launch won’t grab headlines unless it ties to something big, like the rise of AI in 2025. Journalists skip self-centered pitches fast.
Fix It: Make your story useful. Ask yourself: why should anyone care? If you’re solving remote work burnout, link it to today’s hybrid work buzz.
Give readers a takeaway, practical tips, and a fresh angle and your pitch will automatically grab attention. As 9 Figure Media puts it, “Focus on what the audience needs to hear, not just what you want to say.”
Trap #2: No Numbers, No Proof
Words alone don’t impress. Journalists and readers love hard facts—think “$3M raised” or “50% growth in three months.” Startups chasing publicity stunts often skip this, leaving their story flat. Without numbers, you’re just another loud voice.
Fix It: Share stats that pop. Even if you can’t spill financials, try “doubled users in six months” or “cut costs by 30% for clients.”
Data shows you’re real and not just mere talk. Venture-backed brands dominate headlines because they prove their worth through numbers. Add some, and your story sticks.
Trap #3: Boring Founder Quotes
Ever read “We’re thrilled to announce…” and yawn? Too many startup leaders lean on safe and dull lines. The above generic lines won’t help you get featured in Vogue or get featured in Forbes. Journalists crave quotes that spark bold ideas, not fluff.
Fix It: Ditch the generic. Say something real. Try: “This industry’s missing a $5B chance,” or “We bombed twice before nailing this.”
Share a lesson, a prediction, or a hot take on trends. Strong quotes turn a bland pitch into a must-read and make you a go-to voice.
Trap #4: No Hook, No Story
Are the Press releases about hires or launches? Fine, but they won’t cut it alone. Today’s media wants a hook that pulls readers in. Publicity stunts might get the eyes, but without a bigger tale, they might just fizzle out. Startups get lost when they don’t connect the dots.
Fix It: Tie your news to what’s hot—launching eco-friendly packaging? Ride 2025’s plastic ban wave. A bold prediction about tech’s future, like VR taking over offices—can work too.
Weave your brand into trends or debates. That’s how 9 Figure Media lands clients in top media outlets—by building stories, not just announcements.
The Bottom Line: PR That Wins
Great PR for startups isn’t about shouting louder, it’s about connecting smarter. Avoid these traps by making your story matter to readers, back it with numbers, spice up quotes, and hook it to a trend.
Think of it like this: a startup tackling food waste could pitch “How We Cut Spoilage 40% and Why It’s Big in 2025,” not just “New Product Alert.” That’s the thin line between ignored and published.
Ready to ditch the flops and get noticed? 9 Figure Media’s team knows the game. Visit https://9figuremedia.com/ to chat with an expert and kick off a PR strategy that works—no gimmicks, just results.
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